Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH

November 30, 2023

Patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving HER2-targeted therapies should promptly report any respiratory symptoms or signs of lung and heart disease to their oncology care team to facilitate early intervention and management of side effects.

November 30, 2023

Patients on HER2-targeted therapies for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer should be vigilant about potential side effects like heart toxicities and interstitial lung disease and should undergo regular heart function monitoring and lung scans to catch these side effects early.

November 30, 2023

Imaging scans provide an invaluable method of monitoring response to HER2-positive breast cancer treatment; frequency of imaging scans depends on individual patient response, symptoms, and the need to monitor for side effects such as interstitial lung disease.

November 30, 2023

HER2-targeted therapies improve outcomes by shutting down growth signaling to cancer cells, targeted delivery of chemotherapy, or blocking intracellular signaling - all leveraging the HER2 receptor to better control metastatic breast cancer.